“And Saul’s servants said to him, ‘Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.’ So Saul said to his servants, ‘Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.’ One of the young men answered, ‘Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.’ Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, ‘Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.’ And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.’ And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:15-23
Servant: One that serves others; one who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another.
Saul’s servant, unnamed in scripture, played a key part in the history of Israel. Alert, astute, discerning, he not only tended carefully to his work but observed others and the goings on around him. He recognized talent and watched for character, and took joy in enlisting the best skilled people for each need. With keen eyes, he noticed the famous and forthright as well as those in the background. He served not his own interests or advantage, but those of his master the king. (1 Samuel 17:12-14; Romans 12:11; Philippians 2:2-4)
True servanthood is putting others before us and doing what is best for them, no matter the cost to us. Seeking no notice for ourselves, it might involve enlisting another who is more skilled or particularly capable where we are not, and we step to the background. Serving others flows from a submissive attitude to our heavenly Master, who gave His life for us. (2 Kings 5:2-14; Matthew 20:27-28)
Do I go about life wanting to be noticed, affirmed, appreciated, or simply doing all I can for the good and upbuilding of others? Do I actively look for ways to meet needs? When I step out of the way, the Lord has a wide space to work, and often gives the privilege of making a connection or contributing in a significant way that magnifies Him.
Jesus gave His all. Will I?
“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.” ~Isaac Watts (1707)
Good Master, I offer myself in Your service, to support and promote Your purposes in people and the world. May all I do and say serve Your name, greatness, and glory.
As the rain and snow 